Eureka’s May Day Rally Brings Union Solidarity and Sharp Critiques of Trump

On May 1, the Humboldt County Courthouse in Eureka became a hub of defiance and solidarity as roughly 250 protesters assembled for a May Day rally organized by the Humboldt-Del Norte Labor Council and Centro del Pueblo. The crowd’s energy was palpable, fueled by a shared commitment to labor rights, immigrant justice, and resistance against the authoritarian overreach embodied by the Trump administration.

A striking visual statement came from local artist Pat Kanzler, who displayed a large “Union Strong” canvas, symbolizing the enduring power of organized labor. Nearby, the newly certified local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America served free tacos, with co-chair Marlee Nelson explaining, “What better way to celebrate than to feed our union?”

The rally was not shy about naming its enemy. A pair of men brandished cardboard guillotines, one featuring a basket with President Donald Trump’s head tumbling in. Steve, the creator, declared bluntly, “The president is murdering the country, killing people for Israel for no reason,” and labeled Trump a pedophile, underscoring the raw anger driving many attendees.

Speakers connected the dots between racial and labor struggles, with Mo Desir of Black Humboldt highlighting the “chipping away” of rights but urging persistence: “History tells us that change is often slow, until it is suddenly undeniable.” Another speaker addressed recent sexual abuse allegations against Cesar Chavez, emphasizing the movement’s complexity and the need to uplift survivors and women’s leadership.

Centro del Pueblo’s Brenda Perez reminded the crowd, “Our rights have never been given to us. We have taken them.” She stressed the importance of solidarity, language access, and direct action against ICE, encapsulating the rally’s militant spirit: “Fuck ICE.”

The event closed with a march to the Eureka Theater for a screening of Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds, a film about fighting fascism. The crowd’s reactions—boos for Harvey Weinstein’s name and cheers for the on-screen resistance—mirrored the rally’s mix of outrage and hope.

Eureka’s May Day rally was a vivid reminder that labor and social justice movements remain a frontline against authoritarianism and injustice. It was a day of protest, community, and cultural resistance—exactly what May Day was meant to be.